# Best Indie Rock DIY Debuts of 2016, Vol. III – Fire to the Stars, CrashDive, Paper Monsters, The Falling Birds, Cave Wars - Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2017/03/2016-best-indie-diy-debuts-vol-iii/ - Published: 2017-03-03T21:15:07-05:00 - Author: Rick Sosa The first two installments of the Best Indie Rock DIY Debuts of 2016 (That You Probably Didn’t Hear), [Vol. I](https://indierockcafe.com/2017/01/best-indie-rock-debuts-albums-2016/) and [Volume II](https://indierockcafe.com/2017/02/indie-rock-debuts-2016-vol-ii/), were so popular, that we decided to do one more; even though, by now, it seems kind of late to highlight more 2016 debuts. Nonetheless, there are some great bands to watch here with notable 2016 DIY debuts. **Fire to the Stars** – Melbourne, Australia **CrashDive** – Chicago, Illinois ** Paper Monsters** – Manchester, England **The Falling Birds** – New York, New York** Cave Wars** – Burntwood, England ##### Fire to the Stars – _Keep You Safe_ The gloomy melancholy sounds and moods on **Fire to the Stars**‘ single, “Rote Learning,” are convincing as ambient textures, and the sad and beautiful vocals draw you in, highlighting the orchestral instrumentation and flowing melodies against the darker undertones. The song has a soothing spirit that’s also haunting at the same time while it’s slow burn pace generates anxieties filled with mystery and intrigue. **MP3**: [“Rote Learning“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/Rote%20Learning.mp3)–** Fire to the Stars** from _Keep You Safe_ The rising **Melbourne** band’s 2016 debut EP, _Keep You Safe_, sets a somber mood, as exemplified on melodic, emotive, piano-heavy tracks like “Wholesale Slaughter.” The guitar, keys, bass and drum jams at the closing of the track are all in unison and bleak. If you’re depressed, you’ll probably find some comfort in these songs. The band’s EP has received many honors as one of the top albums of the year via many underground blogs, zines and playlists. The EP was recorded with U.S. producer** Casey Rice** (Liz Phair, Tortoise, the Dirty Three). Last fall, the band’s track,“ Stay Down,” (and [follow-up video](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Fq669FrjLVU)) was featured in the award-winning film, _Driven To Death_. [Fire to the Stars on Facebook](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/firetothestars) Related Post:  Best New DIY & Indie Rock Music of 2016, Vol. I - Deer Park, Starfinder, Vicious Kicks, Susan Hyatt ![crashdive-rock21](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/crashdive- rock21.jpeg) ##### CrashDive – _Rock21_ Chicago has a long tradition of rock and roll and one of the Windy City’s newest rock bands rattling the cages is the hard rock outfit **CrashDive**. The band is inspired by rock music from the 1960s through the 1980s, which is delightfully evident on the debut EP, _Rock21_, featuring the lead single, the hot, smoking rocker,“ Me Gusta.” Another track from the EP, the mellow pop ballad, “Look Around,” might make you wonder if it’s the same band that recorded both songs. According to the band, “Instead of being another ‘throwback’ band trying to relive a past time that has come and gone, CrashDive strives to create a new sound” that the band likes to call “21st century rock.” CrashDive took its name from an emergency dive maneuver that submarines make to avoid attack. **MP3**: [“Me Gusta“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Me-Gusta_266292334_soundcloud.mp3)–** CrashDive** from _Rock21_ [CrashDive Official Website](https://indierockcafe.com/2017/03/2016-best-indie-diy-debuts-vol-iii/ crashdivemusic.com) ![papermonstersriddles](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/papermonstersriddles. jpg) ##### Paper Monsters – _With Riddles_ The young lads of the **Manchester** UK indie rock/Americana band **Paper Monsters** dropped their debut album, _With Riddles_, last May, featuring tracks like “Riddles,” with its light and airy guitar rock jam, uptempo rhythms and beats, and splashy lead guitar licks that fall somewhere between alt. rock and modern pop rock. According to band founder, songwriter and guitarist **Matt Blanchette**, Paper Monsters was created to make songs that take “modern sounds like large drums and crushing guitars and blend them with rhythmic acoustics and catchy vocal melodies.” Mission accomplished. The band’s musical influences include PVRIS, Kings of Leon, Fall Out Boy, and Lydia. Related Post:  Best Indie Rock Debuts of 2016, Vol. II - Peyote Coyote, Candy Cigarettes, Economy Island, Hiels, and COUNCIL **MP3**: [“Riddles“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/Paper%20Monsters%20-%20Riddles.mp3)–** Paper Monsters** from _With Riddles_ Paper Monsters on Facebook ![thefallingbirds](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/THEFALLINGBIRDS- 500x474.jpg) ##### The Falling Birds – _Til We All Fall Down_ **Brooklyn** genre-bending duo **The Falling Birds** comprises musicians **Stephen Artemis** (guitar, vocals, harp) and **Dave Alan** (drums, keys) who follow a simple concept: write songs with foundations in blues and folk, then throttle them with punk rock snarl and grit. The result is a gritty bluesy rock sound on the band’s 2016 debut EP, _Til We All Fall Down_, featuring tracks like the hard-hitting single, “Sweet Things That Kill.” The band describes their sound and style as “one half careful musicianship and the other wild indifference.” The video and track for [“My Girl”](https://youtube.com/watch?v=NQFVky6qS5g) are definitely worth checking out. **MP3:** [“Sweet Things That Kill“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/Sweet%20Things%20That%20Kill.mp3)–** The Falling Birds** from _Til We All Fall Down_ EP Listen to the full [_Til We All Fall Down_](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/thefallingbirds.bandcamp.com) EP on Bandcamp ![cavewarscover](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cavewarscover. jpeg) ##### Cave Wars – _Cave Wars_ Cave Wars are a indie rock duo formed in **Burntwood**, England in 2015 out of the ashes of two bands that called it quits. Musicians **Rich Giblin** (guitar, bass, keys) and **Matt Toothill** (vocals, guitar) met and began crafting remarkably intricate compositions on songs like the lazy, dreamy, minimalistic and experimental psych track, “Origami,” and the more upbeat track, “Skymen,” by weaving together elements of post punk, rock, new wave, electro-pop, dream pop and psych rock. The duo recorded its self-titled debut album entirely on an 8-tape recorder – a rare type of recording in this new century, and which many contend produces a more dynamic sound. It’s no surprise that Giblin’s and Toothill’s major influences include David Bowie, Roxy Music, Devo, Scott Walker, Moon Duo, and Beach House. Related Post:  Best Indie Rock DIY Debuts of 2016, Vol. I - Buttness, Small Culture, Them Coulee Boys, Marvelous Mint, Nervouschain **MP3**: “Skymen“ – **Cave Wars** from _Cave Wars_ [Cave Wars on Facebook](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/cavewars1)